Chapter 69
“Yes. Conversing with you like this is my pleasure too.”
“Really? Then don’t forget. I am always by Your Majesty’s side.”
Yun-seo noticed a hint of concern on Yeondeok’s face and reached out to firmly grasp his arm before letting go.
“Yes, I know. Without you, I would truly have been nothing.”
“Please don’t say that. Everyone in Jiseogung says Your Majesty is an excellent master. They say it’s a heavenly blessing to serve Your Majesty. Of course, you know that I feel this the most strongly, don’t you?”
Though he had never thought of himself that way, it seemed he was actually quite fortunate. Despite being in an environment with many good people around him and circumstances that could be accepted as a great blessing, he kept digging endlessly after what he lacked. Yun-seo nodded, feeling emotional waves that flickered between joy and sorrow.
As they walked, chatting about various topics, they soon approached Yeongwiwon. Both the casual conversation and the stroll after leaving the palanquin had considerably softened Yun-seo’s mood.
Usually, when encountering noble consorts, he would go around the wall surrounding Yeongwiwon to the practice field to avoid making them uncomfortable. He was about to do the same this time, passing by the side gate, when he caught sight of a familiar figure in the distance through the open door. His steps naturally halted.
There was a short stone bridge over a fairly large pond covered with water lilies that had not yet bloomed. Hwi and Hyeonbi stood side by side in the middle of it, engaged in conversation. Yun-seo’s gaze was captivated by the two figures, unable to look away.
Their atmosphere together seemed very natural, and Hyeonbi’s expression also appeared relaxed. Perhaps because they were of similar age, or because both were mature and composed, they gave the impression of being in harmony.
This was likely an ordinary scene that had continued since before he entered the palace, before he knew Hwi. A connection of time, history, and trust must flow between them.
“I heard His Majesty went to Geumju with Lady Hyeonbi this time?”
“Yes. Don’t they look good together? Whenever they’re together like that, they seem like childhood friends, or like a pair of *Byeongdulian.”
“Indeed. If this weren’t the palace, they would have made a fine couple.”
Whispering voices came from beyond the wall. It seemed that some consorts were gossiping while secretly observing Hwi and Hyeonbi. Yeondeok tugged at Yun-seo’s sleeve, suggesting they leave, but Yun-seo didn’t move.
“But why didn’t they bring along Her Majesty the Empress?”
“Well, I suppose Lady Hyeonbi is more familiar with things?”
“But I heard the Empress’s Suhoseong is excellent. They say His Majesty only seeks the Empress within the palace.”
“He can’t ignore appearances. But shared history can’t be dismissed either. By the way, do you know what kind of person the Empress is?”
“I heard from Eunhwa that he’s a truly handsome gentleman. She said it’s as if a fragrance of orchids wafts by when he passes.”
“What? That’s not what I’m curious about. Though I would like to see him once.”
“I heard he’s generous and kind. But who knows? The Empress is different from us.”
“True, he was raised in a noble household.”
As the consorts’ gossip began to die down, Yun-seo, who had been standing still with an expressionless face, turned away. Yeondeok followed, alternately looking at Yun-seo’s face and behind them.
“Um… Your Majesty. Please don’t take seriously what those uninformed children are saying. Subordinates always enjoy talking about their superiors, you know.”
“I know. They didn’t say anything wrong.”
The afterimage of the two people standing side by side on the stone bridge, gazing at each other, wouldn’t fade. Nor would the consort’s assessment that they would have made a fine couple if not for the palace. And in his heart, unable to deny this, a storm arose.
The cyclonic wind crashed around everywhere, turning his heart into a wasteland. Yun-seo took rough, large strides, as if trampling over cut and fallen grass.
“Your Majesty, aren’t you going to the practice field?”
Hui-je approached discreetly and spoke. Yun-seo nodded, looking only straight ahead.
“If you’ve drawn a sword, you should at least cut something… If you don’t like archery, how about trying something else? For instance, um, for instance…”
Appreciating Hui-je’s effort to gauge his mood, Yun-seo couldn’t ignore her.
“It’s fine. I just want to rest.”
“Of course, resting is good too, but you should straighten your shoulders and waist! Like a proud man.”
Yun-seo let out a wry smile, recalling Hwi’s words that he should no longer be a man before anyone else.
“I’m not a man anymore.”
“Pardon? If Your Majesty is not a man, then what…”
“A petty person.”
If not a petty person, what else would he be—a man pettily jealous of a woman? Hui-je’s eyes widened in surprise, speechless, but Yun-seo repeated regardless.
Petty person, petty person, petty person.
Anyone could see that Hyeonbi was a good person. Had they not met in this palace, he himself would have followed her eagerly. But merely, merely…
Having never once envied someone before and never having had reason to, this flame burning inside him was so unfamiliar and uncomfortable. He resented Hwi for driving him to this state. If only he had known there were other partners…
When his dejected steps finally stopped, he had already reached Jiseogung. Yun-seo stared blankly into space before belatedly looking around at the splendid pavilion and the court ladies who had come out to welcome him. Suddenly, it felt as if a heavy rock had settled on his shoulders. It also felt as if a swamp of water lilies was wrapping around his ankles, making him sink gradually from the feet up.
“Your Majesty. I’ll show you something nice.”
At that moment, Hui-je stood in front of Yun-seo, catching his attention, and pulled out a piece of white linen from her bosom. She then skillfully folded it into a shape resembling a bird with outstretched wings. Hui-je placed it on her palm and blew air with her mouth. The linen bird then floated up into the air, gracefully flying around Yun-seo.
“Wow!”
Yeondeok let out a shrill exclamation. Yun-seo followed the bird circling around him with curious eyes. Though he knew the powers of Yongrim were mysterious, this was the first time he had seen such a skill. Grateful to Hui-je for mobilizing her powers to lift his spirits, Yun-seo smiled.
“How marvelous. You can do such things?”
“I knew it! I knew you would like it. Since Your Majesty also enjoys these things…”
Yun-seo was just noticing how Hui-je’s face had suddenly become gloomy when—
“It seems you’re having fun.”
A familiar voice came from behind, and simultaneously, the bird flying in the air abruptly fell. Hui-je immediately returned to her composed Yongrim demeanor, bowing her head in respect. Yun-seo looked down at the fallen bird, then picked it up and handed it to Hui-je. She hurriedly took the linen and tucked it back into her bosom.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.”
While offering a belated greeting, Hwi’s gaze remained persistently fixed on Yun-seo. After staring at him for a long time, Hwi stepped forward.
“I came early. It was difficult to wait until the hour of Shin (3-5 PM).”
Hwi’s words, having just spent time with Hyeonbi, felt like mere formality to Yun-seo. He calmly guided him inside.
“Please enter.”
Once inside the chamber, Hwi did not sit down but walked around the room with his hands behind his back. Unable to discern the reason for his behavior, Yun-seo simply stood quietly to one side. Suddenly, a window burst open, and wind rushed in.
Who would dare fling open a window in a room where the Emperor was present? Yun-seo turned with narrowed brows, but there was no one outside. As he was staring curiously at the open window—
A dandelion seed, soft as a feather, floated in through the window. Following it, more than dozens of seeds poured in, creating a mystical scene.
Though the spectacle of white seeds filling the room was magnificent, Yun-seo, not understanding what was happening, looked at Hwi. Had he used his power? Why? Was it because he had been reminded by Hui-je’s flying bird? Whatever the reason, Yun-seo didn’t want to leisurely enjoy a display of his power. Using his power would accumulate poison, and even for a small demonstration, he didn’t want Hwi to bear that burden.
Their gazes remained locked for a long time. At some point, as if time had stopped, the floating seeds suddenly froze in place, then fell all at once. After this rather strange and eerie movement ended, Hwi spoke.
“I thought you would like it.”
*Byeongdulian: Lotus flowers where two blooms appear on one stem; a metaphorical term for a harmonious couple. National Institute of Korean Language, Standard Korean Dictionary.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
